Best antivirus software of 2025: security, pricing, and who each one is for
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Modern cyberthreats are far more sophisticated than a decade ago. One careless click on a phishing email can expose an entire system, and a single ransomware infection can encrypt years of personal or business data. For anyone who stores sensitive information, trades crypto, or simply spends a lot of time online, a reliable antivirus suite is no longer optional — it’s part of basic digital hygiene.
This 2025 guide breaks down the leading antivirus solutions, focusing on three key areas:
– Security and feature set
– Performance and usability
– Pricing and who each product suits best, including crypto users
Quick overview: Top antivirus picks for 2025
– MacKeeper – Great for Mac owners, especially those who handle crypto; strong ID theft tools.
– Norton 360 – Balanced, all‑around protection for Windows and multi-device households, very solid for crypto.
– Bitdefender – Excellent malware detection and secure browser features, ideal for safe crypto trading and banking.
– McAfee – Strong identity and account-takeover protection, good for people worried about SIM swaps and leaks.
– Surfshark – Privacy-first bundle with VPN and breach alerts, suitable for frequent traders and remote workers.
– Well-known free antivirus suites – Decent baseline protection but with notable gaps in identity and ransomware defenses.
– Other premium suites with WebShield and ransomware tools – Strong at blocking phishing and crypto-stealing malware.
Below, we take a closer look at what each solution offers and how to choose the right one for your situation.
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MacKeeper – Best fit for Mac users and Apple-based crypto traders
Typical pricing: Starts around €9.86 per month, with cheaper annual plans frequently available.
Why it stands out
MacKeeper focuses on the specific needs of Mac users, combining security with system cleanup and privacy tools. For people with crypto holdings, it adds valuable layers of protection beyond basic antivirus.
Key security features
– ID Theft Guard
Monitors for leaked personal information and potentially compromised accounts, reducing the chance that stolen data can be used to breach crypto exchanges or custodial wallets.
– Real-time malware scanning
Continuously checks downloads, apps, and processes for viruses, spyware, and trojans that might look for seed phrases, passwords, or API keys.
– Protection for sensitive crypto data
Works well alongside encrypted folders or password managers where users store seed phrases and private keys. Real-time scanning helps detect clipboard hijackers that try to replace wallet addresses during transfers.
Who should use MacKeeper
– Mac owners who actively trade or store crypto.
– Users who want security plus optimization tools in a single app.
– People who prefer a Mac-native interface rather than a ported Windows product.
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Norton 360 – All-purpose protection and strong phishing defenses
Typical pricing: Roughly $2.50–$8.33 per month depending on the plan and number of devices.
Why it stands out
Norton remains a benchmark in consumer antivirus. Its combination of antivirus, firewall, backup tools, and identity protections makes it a good choice for households with multiple PCs, phones, and tablets.
Key security features
– Safe Web
A web protection layer that flags and blocks fake exchange sites, counterfeit wallet portals, and other phishing pages before you enter credentials. This is particularly important for crypto users who access multiple platforms.
– Online identity and credential monitoring
Tracks for leaked logins and personal information, helping reduce the risk of account takeover on exchanges, wallets, and trading platforms.
– Consistent Windows performance
Norton 360 is well-optimized for Windows, with a strong record in independent tests for malware detection, ransomware blocking, and exploit prevention.
Who should use Norton 360
– Windows users wanting a trusted, full-feature suite.
– Families or individuals with several devices to protect under one subscription.
– Crypto users who are frequently logging into exchanges and DeFi platforms from browsers and mobile apps.
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Bitdefender – Excellent for safe online banking and crypto transactions
Typical pricing: From $49.99–$139.99 per year, depending on device count and additional features.
Why it stands out
Bitdefender is widely recognized for its high detection rates and low performance impact. Its specialized secure browsing environment, Safepay, is especially useful for high-value transactions.
Key security features
– Safepay secure browser
Creates an isolated session for financial tasks and crypto activities. It protects against:
– Keyloggers trying to record passwords and seed phrases.
– Clipboard theft, a common technique where malware swaps out a copied wallet address for the attacker’s address.
– Injection attacks that alter what you see or submit on exchange pages.
– Advanced malware and ransomware protection
Uses behavior-based detection to catch new and unknown threats, including crypto-stealers built to exfiltrate wallet files, browser cookies, or 2FA tokens.
– Lightweight on Mac and Windows
Bitdefender runs smoothly on both platforms, making it a strong cross-platform choice.
Who should use Bitdefender
– Users who regularly move large sums via exchanges or online banking.
– People who want an extra-secure browser environment for financial operations.
– Mac and Windows users looking for a strong, low-impact solution.
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McAfee – Strong around identity, SIM swaps, and account takeovers
Typical pricing: Around $39.99–$94.99 per year depending on plan and coverage.
Why it stands out
McAfee has evolved into a platform that focuses heavily on identity protection, not just classic malware scanning. That makes it particularly relevant for crypto users, where control of phone numbers and email accounts often equates to control of funds.
Key security features
– Identity and data leak monitoring
Flags exposed emails, passwords, and other personal data that could be used to reset exchange or wallet logins.
– Protection against SIM-swap exploitation
While no software can physically stop a SIM swap, McAfee’s identity tools help detect abnormal account activity linked to compromised authentication channels, giving users early warning to secure their crypto accounts.
– Cross-device security
Works across PCs, Macs, and mobile devices, securing endpoints that might hold apps for exchanges, wallets, and 2FA.
Who should use McAfee
– Users concerned about SIM-swap scams and identity fraud.
– People who use SMS-based 2FA or email confirmations to access crypto platforms.
– Households wanting identity-focused security bundled with antivirus.
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Surfshark – Security plus privacy for active traders
Typical pricing: From €1.69–€4.19 per month, often lower on multi-year plans.
Why it stands out
Surfshark is best known for its VPN, but in recent years it has evolved into a broader security suite. The combination of encrypted connections and breach alerts makes it appealing for people who value anonymity and trade from multiple networks.
Key security features
– VPN protection
Encrypts traffic during wallet and exchange sessions, protecting against local network snooping, malicious Wi-Fi hotspots, and location-based attacks.
– Breach alerts and monitoring
Notifies users when their email addresses or other identifiers appear in known data breaches, a critical early signal to rotate keys and change passwords.
– Online privacy focus
Masks IP addresses and locations, which can reduce profiling and targeted phishing.
Who should use Surfshark
– Crypto traders who often connect from public or shared networks.
– Users who want privacy and geo-unblocking alongside antivirus features.
– People seeking a budget-friendly, privacy-first security stack.
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Free antivirus solutions – Good start, but with important limits
Typical pricing:
– Free version available; premium tiers often start around $39.99 per year.
Many vendors offer free antivirus editions that include:
– Basic virus and malware scanning
– Ransomware and phishing protection in limited form
For users with very tight budgets, free antivirus is much better than no protection. It can block widespread malware, straightforward phishing attempts, and some ransomware variants.
However, free tiers usually lack:
– Broad identity protection and leak monitoring.
– Advanced ransomware rollback tools that can restore encrypted files.
– Comprehensive web protection and safe browsing environments.
– Strong support and multi-device coverage.
Who should use free antivirus
– Beginners who are just starting to secure their systems.
– Users with very limited funds and low-value targets.
– People who are not storing large amounts of crypto or sensitive business data.
For anyone holding significant crypto, free antivirus should be seen as a short-term solution, not a long-term strategy.
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Additional security-focused suites – WebShield, ransomware and crypto-stealer defense
Typical pricing:
– Some solutions offer free basics, with advanced features around $46.68 per year.
– Others start at $22.49 per year or at introductory rates of $19–$49 for the first year, then renew at $99–$149 annually.
These suites often emphasize web protection and ransomware mitigation:
– WebShield or similar features
Blocks access to fake crypto exchanges, phishing clones of popular wallets, and scam token sale sites. This front-line defense stops many attacks before any malware is downloaded.
– Ransomware protection and recovery
Monitors for suspicious file-encryption behavior and can block or quarantine ransomware before it spreads. Some tools attempt to roll back changes or preserve copies of files.
– Stealer detection
Special focus on detecting malware designed to:
– Read from system clipboards (to swap wallet addresses).
– Grab browser autofill data and saved logins.
– Harvest wallet files and config data from desktops and browser-based extensions.
Who should use these suites
– Users who frequently interact with new, less-established crypto platforms.
– People who download experimental wallets, DeFi tools, and trading bots.
– Anyone who wants strong phishing and ransomware protection layered around their existing habits.
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How to choose an antivirus if you use crypto
Crypto holders face some unique risks that typical home users may never encounter. When evaluating antivirus software, pay attention to these criteria:
1. Phishing and web protection quality
The majority of crypto thefts start with a fake site or malicious link. Look for:
– Robust URL and domain filtering.
– Warnings on suspicious login pages or pop-up windows.
– Browser extensions or modules like Safe Web or WebShield.
2. Ransomware and stealer defense
Crypto-specific malware often goes straight for wallets or tries to hijack outgoing transactions.
– Check for behavior-based detection, not just signature scans.
– Ensure the suite includes dedicated ransomware modules.
– Consider tools known to be effective against clipboard hijackers and keyloggers.
3. Identity and account monitoring
Many successful attacks don’t exploit your device but your accounts.
– Look for data leak alerts for your emails and usernames.
– Support for monitoring multiple addresses if you use several exchanges.
– Warnings when credentials appear on underground markets.
4. Secure browser or transaction environment
Features like Bitdefender Safepay give you a hardened space for:
– Logging into exchanges.
– Viewing balances and executing trades.
– Managing banking or fiat onramps and offramps.
5. Cross-platform coverage
Crypto activity often spans desktops, laptops, and mobile devices.
– Ensure your chosen antivirus protects all major platforms you use.
– Pay attention to performance impact on older hardware.
6. Privacy and VPN integration
While not strictly antivirus, a VPN integrated with your security suite can:
– Encrypt exchange traffic on public networks.
– Reduce targeted attacks based on IP or geography.
– Provide an extra barrier against some man-in-the-middle attempts.
Norton 360, Bitdefender, and MacKeeper check many of these boxes and are often regarded as among the top antivirus options for users who hold or trade digital assets.
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Best antivirus for PC in 2025
For Windows PCs, these are strong picks:
– Norton 360
– Reliable performance with a long track record.
– Well-rounded feature set, including backup, firewall, and dark web monitoring.
– Bitdefender
– Excellent detection rates and minimal system slowdown.
– Safepay and advanced web filtering make it ideal for online banking and trading.
– Other premium suites with strong WebShield and ransomware tools
– Good if your primary concern is phishing, ransomware, and new, evolving threats.
If your PC is older or underpowered, prioritize products known for being lightweight (Bitdefender and several modern suites are built with performance in mind).
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Best antivirus for Mac in 2025
While macOS has strong built-in security, it is not immune to threats — especially targeted malware and phishing.
Top options:
– MacKeeper
– Tailored to Mac users, combining security, cleanup, and privacy.
– Strong choice for Mac-based crypto traders and everyday users.
– Bitdefender for Mac
– Lightweight with high detection scores.
– Effective at blocking adware, trojans, and malicious downloads.
Using antivirus on Mac is particularly important if you:
– Use browser-based wallets or exchange dashboards.
– Keep seed phrases or private keys anywhere on your machine.
– Frequently install new software or connect external drives.
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Is it safe to rely only on free antivirus?
Free antivirus software is far better than having no protection at all. It usually covers:
– Classic viruses and trojans.
– Basic ransomware detection.
– Some level of phishing and web blocking.
However, it typically does not offer:
– Comprehensive identity protection.
– Detailed dark web or leak monitoring.
– Specialized secure browsers for financial transactions.
– Robust support and advanced remediation tools.
For casual browsing, streaming, and light email use, free antivirus can be sufficient. But if you:
– Hold meaningful amounts of crypto.
– Manage business or client data.
– Frequently log into financial or trading platforms,
then a paid antivirus suite with extended protections is a much safer and more future-proof choice.
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Final thoughts: Which antivirus should you choose in 2025?
There is no single “best” antivirus for everyone, but patterns emerge:
– For crypto-focused Mac users – MacKeeper or Bitdefender for Mac are excellent starting points.
– For Windows power users and families – Norton 360 and Bitdefender remain leading, well-balanced choices.
– For identity-focused users – McAfee and other suites with strong monitoring tools are worth considering.
– For privacy-conscious traders – Surfshark and similar VPN-centric bundles add valuable privacy on top of antivirus.
Whatever you choose, remember that antivirus is one layer in a broader security strategy. Combine it with strong passwords, hardware or software 2FA, careful handling of seed phrases, and cautious behavior online. With that stack in place, you’ll be significantly better protected against the cyber risks of 2025.